Bainbridge College’s chapter of the National Technical Honor Society inducted its first members April 8 at the Kirbo Center on the Bainbridge campus. Participants seen here (L-R) are Alice Wimberly of Blakely, BC faculty member Shirley Beck, BC Special Populations Coordinator Beverly Thompson, students Tywann Elijah of Iron City, Linda Reynolds of Early County, Crissema Bennett of Bainbridge, Jan Newberry of Colquitt, honor society Advisor Sheila McLendon, students Betty Jean Brogdon, James Ulmer and Sheila M. Phillips, all of Bainbridge, Advisor Kathy Ketterer, and student Ruby Barlow of Bainbridge. Not pictured are Marvin Amerison of Colquitt, James Anderson of Donalsonville and Connie Sue Glass of Bainbridge. Twelve Bainbridge College (BC) students, including two from Miller County, hold the distinction as founding members of the local chapter of National Technical Honor Society (NTHS). Representing both the BC main campus and the Early County Center in Blakely, the students were inducted April 8 at the Charles H. Kirbo Regional Center on the BC campus.

Founding members of the BC chapter are Marvin Amerison and Jan Newberry, both of Colquitt; Bainbridge residents Ruby Barlow, Crissema Bennett, Betty Jean Brogdon, Connie Sue Glass, Sheila M. Phillips and James Ulmer; Early County residents Linda Reynolds and Alice Wimberly; and Seminole County residents, James Anderson and Tywann Elijah.

Guest speakers were BC President Tom Wilkerson and Technical Studies Division Interim Chair Barbara Stephens. Faculty members Kathy Ketterer and Sheila McLendon, who serve as NTHS advisors, explained the society’s goals, purpose and the significance of its emblem and motto. Assisting them with the candle lighting and induction ceremony were faculty member Shirley Beck and BC Special Populations Coordinator Beverly Thompson, who serve as NTHS committee members.

Members pledged to maintain the highest standards of personal conduct, apply themselves to continue scholastic achievement, strive for excellence in education, invest talents, skills and knowledge in their chosen careers and endeavor to uphold their obligations as citizens.

BC received its NTHS charter in January after extensive work and planning. A leader in the recognition of outstanding student achievement in career and technical education, NTHS offers membership to those who have a 3.5 or higher grade point average, more than 24 credit hours in one Technical Studies program, a strong work ethic, have been nominated by a Tech Studies faculty member and approved by the entire Tech Division faculty.

Founded in 1984, NTHS promotes seven attributes: skill, scholarship, honesty, responsibility, service, leadership, and citizenship. Its three colors represent specific pairs of words; silver stands for values/ worth, white, truth/honesty, and purple, achievement/ honor. These concepts are central to its motto and slogan. The motto, “Success Favors the Prepared Mind,” compliments the slogan, “Excellence in America’s Workforce Begins with Excellence in Workforce Education.”

Items on the honor society’s emblem - shield with plumb line, scroll, head of an American Bald Eagle, and seven stars - represent the individual building a life and career founded on excellence, America and individual freedom of career choice, and the seven attributes NTHS promotes.